Two men have been charged with terrorism offences by police who had been investigating a suspected Christmas attack plot.

Farhad Salah, 22, of Brunswick Road, Burngreave in Sheffield, has been charged with one offence of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism, contrary to section five of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Andi Sami Star, 31, of Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, has also been charged with engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism, West Yorkshire Police said.

Iraqi men accused of plotting to detonate bomb in driverless car

Two Iraqi men have appeared in court accused of an alleged Isis-inspired plot to set off a remotely controlled bomb in a driverless car.

Andy Star, 31, and Farhad Salah, 22, were arrested before Christmas when armed police raided addresses in Sheffield and Chesterfield. Mr Star and Mr Salah appeared yesterday at Westminster magistrates’ court accused of preparation to commit acts of terrorism. The men, who appeared via videolink from Leeds magistrates’ court, are accused of planning to build an improvised explosive device (IED).

Thomas Halpin, for the prosecution, said that the men were part of a “joint enterprise” and in the “early stages of planning”. He said: “This is a case in which the Crown say both defendants were researching, developing and manufacturing chemicals to make explosive substances so they could be used in an IED with a view to committing acts in the UK.”